Bullet – Full Pull (2012)

One of the best Swedish Metal band has returned with another fabulous album and I couldn’t be more excited. If you haven’t checked out Bullet yet, this is definitely the time to get to know the band. Full Pull is the fourth album from the Swedish hard rockers and it could be their best album yet.

Hitting with the power of a freight train at full speed, Bullet once again delivers the hard rocking antics on Full Pull. The signature stomp and wail musical style is present and accounted for. The hard rocking, metal madness is all there. And Hell Hofer’s scratchy, screaming vocals are still intact. Hell Hofer has such a unique voice that it is hard for any description to do it justice. Some would categorize it as a voice that you either love or hate, but I don’t think that is 100 percent accurate. Either way, I love Hell’s voice and I feel that it is the perfect accompaniment to Bullet’s fast paced hard rock.

The three-pack of potential hits, “Midnight Oil,” “Full Pull,” and “Running Away,” get Full Pull started with a bang. The songs feature heavy guitar work led by Hampus Klang and complimented beautifully by Erik Almstrom. The guitar playing on Full Pull makes me want to be a teenager again, so that I can perform air guitar in front of my mirror for hours on end. Almstrom and Klang may not get the recognition of a Malmsteen, or a Bettencourt, but they are just as talented, and Full Pull helps prove that. Hofer’s vocals are in fine form and by the time “Running Away” shows up on the player, long time fans will be hooked once again. Hofer’s distinctive style continues to mesmerize.

Full Pull does find Bullet slightly altering their style and direction. While their previous albums have been a lot of “more of the same” (in a very good way), Full Pull finds the band slowing the tempo down at times. I wasn’t sure if that was so old fans could keep up, or an attempt to lure new fans into the fold. Full Pull finds Bullet leaning away from the thrash slightly and creeping toward the mainstream. And while there isn’t a ballad present on Full Pull, I worry that the band may be closer than ever to writing one. That would be a shame, because Bullet is truly about raw power and hard hitting rock and roll. Leave the ballads to the hair metal bands. Please.

Overall, Bullet have delivered another fantastic gem of a record that will have feet stomping, hands clapping, and fans cheering in no time. Bullet has never disappointed with a record release and they continue to follow that trend with Full Pull. If you haven’t taken the time to seek out Bullet, Full Pull is a great album to get you invested in the band. Any true metal music lover will find nothing but redeeming qualities when listening to Full Pull.